Access to education for young people remains a challenge in the remote indigenous rural communities of the Department of Cochabamba, Bolivia. The lack of resources hinders their integral development and limits their future prospects. In this context, initiatives such as the project recently developed by "Bosco Global" take on particular importance, as they promote a complete education for young people, providing them with technical training and encouraging their leading role in these communities.
During the past year, the "Technical and comprehensive training of young Bolivians in the educational districts of the Municipality of Independencia and Tapacarí, in the Department of Cochabamba" is a project that has been successfully carried out thanks to funding from the State Provincial Councils of Huelva and Seville, and donations from private individuals through the various actions promoted by "Bosco Global" delegations.
This project benefited 150 young people from the rural communities of the Kami region (Cochabamba-Bolivia), providing them with technical training in four specialties: electricity, industrial mechanics, automotive mechanics and agro-industrial. In addition to these technical skills, students also received sessions in "life skills", professional guidance, oratory and leadership courses... to address all the central and necessary aspects for their integral development, emancipation and socio-occupational inclusion.
Begoña Simal, project manager at Bosco Global, shares her assessment: “Seeing the direct impact these actions have on the lives of these young people and their communities is incredibly rewarding. We are committed to continuing to work to ensure that more and more young people have access to education and formation opportunities that enable them to realise their dreams and contribute to the development of their communities."
The young participants traveled from their home communities to the town of Kami, where they were hosted by the local Salesian centre throughout the formation period. Thanks to the support of the project, improvements were made to the structures, including the renovation of dormitories, the construction of bathrooms and the purchase of mattresses, wardrobes and blankets. In addition, the canteen has been modernised and equipped with all the necessary kitchen utensils.
The project has also invested in the professional development of teaching staff, through training on technologies applied to education, professional guidance, life projects and updating curricular content according to current regulations. Emphasis was placed on the inclusion of content on gender equality and the environment across all areas, thus also promoting inclusive and sustainable education.
Both students and teachers have made extremely positive judgments about the impact of this project on their lives and communities. Initiatives such as these not only realise young people's right to education, but also contribute significantly to sustainable development and the strengthening of indigenous rural communities.
Source: Salesianos.info
